School Renames Basketball Court, Proclaims "Bob Johnson Day"

EMORY, Va. --- A large crowd packed the King Athletic Center gymnasium Saturday to pay tribute to Bob Johnson, long-serving and highly successful head coach of the Emory & Henry men's basketball team.

Approximately 1,200 people filled the bleachers of the gymnasium as E&H officials and former basketball players spoke of Johnson's impact on their lives and the College. The highly emotional event was held during an extended half-time period during a game against Guilford College.

During the tribute, E&H President Rosalind Reichard announced the naming of the basketball court as the Bob Johnson Court and declared Jan. 19 as Bob Johnson Day at Emory & Henry. The president also announced that the College had raised sufficient funds to begin construction on the Fred Selfe Athletic Stadium, a $4.5 million project for which Johnson had lobbied and raised money.

Among those on hand to celebrate the day with Johnson were more than 60 former athletes. One of those athletes, basketball standout Eric Scott (E&H Class of 1988), spoke of Johnson's years as a soldier in Vietnam, his many years of coaching success and his recent battle with kidney cancer.

"Coach Johnson is a survivor," he declared. "And we're survivors too," he added, pointing to a line-up of former basketball players who remember a demanding coach who expected nothing less than the best from his athletes.

Another former basketball star, Leon Hill (E&H Class of 1991), said Johnson helped teach him and others important life lessons about "accountability, leadership, family and taking responsibility."

After 27 years of service, Johnson announced in December that he was retiring as head basketball coach. Johnson, who continues to serve as the E&H athletic director, is spending large portions of the basketball season in Houston, Texas, where he is receiving treatment for his cancer.

He has built a national reputation for his coaching, having taken five teams to the NCAA playoffs, two of which finished in the Sweet 16. In April 2007, the National Association of Basketball Coaches awarded him the Division III Service Award, which was presented at the NCAA Final Four tournament.

Johnson finished his E&H coaching career with 370 wins and 334 losses. He was honored three times as Old Dominion Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and three times as the NCAA South Region Coach of the Year.

In addition, the College has begun a fund-raising project to name the floor in the King Center gym in Johnson's honor. Proceeds of the funds will support the construction of the Fred Selfe Athletic Stadium.

This release if courtesy of the Emory & Henry College public relations department.